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| Pompey |
The first permanent stone theatre in Rome was built by the Republican general and political leader Pompey in 55 BC. The Theatrum Pompeii was the biggest of three theatres built in the Campus Martius. It was described as wanton, licentious, the stronghold of every vice.
The censors of the day, concerned for the moral welfare of the public, often sought to close down shows, even close the theatres. Pompey, concerned for his legacy, attempted to get around the censors by building a temple to Venus over his theatre, ‘under which,’ he said, ‘we have put rows of seats for the shows.’ A newly converted Tertullian wrote:
‘Thus did he cloak this damned and damnable work under the name of a temple, and by the aid of superstition eluded the rule.’ (From De Spectaculis, or Treatise on Public Shows)
It seems to me that many churches today have followed the example of Pompey. The sense of the sacred has been replaced by the call of the carnal as clowns and jesters roam the courts of the King.
The pulpit is replaced by a stage, worship by sing-alongs, the Bible by storytelling, quiet lives of daily devotion by thrilling events and occasions. Under the guise of Christian worship they have brought theatre, entertainment into the church.
‘What becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.’ Romans 3:27
There is an excellent 2019 commentary on this phenomenon over at Patheos, What's Next for Contemporary Worship? Hopefully death.
In so many places now sin isn’t preached any more, being replaced by encouraging words from life coaches who have unseated the expository preacher. Challenging words of life, sin and repentance, have been replaced by you-can-do-it words of encouragement and assurance, reasons to boast of our great achievements for Christ and his kingdom. He will be so pleased with us when he comes.
The Bible sits idle somewhere while Christians rush to the book table to purchase the latest ‘Live Your Best Life Now’ book from some millionaire scam artist who dresses sharp, drives a Corvette, calls himself pastor, but who has never pastored anyone in his life.
Christians are getting their theology from streaming services. Weighty hymns and choruses have been replaced with pop songs, some so poorly written they would not see the light of day out in the professional, competitive world of public entertainment.
They reflect in their lyrics the latest heresies to hit the church, telling us that God is desperate for our love, that he loves us just as we are, and all he wants to do is bless us. That we can conquer, overcome, know health and wealth, make this world so great, in fact, that we stop thinking about the next. So it is they blindly dance to Armageddon.
This is the Pompey generation and it is worshipping in the wrong temple.
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